DAIZEN MAEDA summoned up astounding reserves of courage to score Celtic’s matchwinner against Dundee at Parkhead last night.
The champions had moved the ball around sweetly as they probed for an opening in the eleventh minute against the team who shocked them 2-0 at Dens Park in October in an afternoon where the visitors rarely troubled keeper Jon McCracken.
There was a different mindset on this occasion as the hosts looked for the early strike to remove some anxiety in Martin O’Neill’s eighth and final game in charge during his startingly successful interim period.
The Hoops had gone into the encounter with six wins from the 73-year-old Irishman’s previous seven outings – and everyone was determined to give the charismatic individual the send-off he so richly deserved.
OUCH…Daizen Maeda holds his face as he reels backwards after the collision with the Dundee defender.
DOWN BUT NOT OUT…Daizen Maeda is grounded while referee Duncan Nicolson calls for attention for both players.
Reo Hatate, looking a bit like his old self, picked out the hard-working Yang Hyun-jun with a superb through pass as he came in from the left.
The South Korean’s low shot was diverted away from the net by the sprawling McCracken at his near post.
The ball spiralled up into the air as Maeda came racing in. The Japanese speedster ignored the challenge that was coming his way from a determined Tayside defender and made contact with the rebound to power it home for the only goal of the game.
The forward was clattered in the face in an accidental clash and collapsed to the turf as the fans sang his name.
THE FACE OF COURAGE…Daizen Maeda returns to the pitch. Images courtesy Celtic TV.
After onfield treatment, Maeda was led off the pitch before returning nine minutes later with his head bandaged and sporting a discoloured right eye.
The player emphasised his true grit spirit by remaining on the field right until the end and, in fact, only the woodwork prevented him from claiming a second goal in the third minute of stoppage-time when he fired in a rasping drive that thumped off the bar to safety.
Maeda’s special goal on a special occasion is certainly worth a second look – courtesy of those good folk at Celtic TV Unique Angle.
Please enjoy!
MAEDA PARTING GIFT IN O’NEILL’S GRAND FINALE
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